Burke's closed because the owner is trying to cash in on real estate prices. It's been on the market for months for a ton of money. I understand the sentiment about yuppies moving in to what has long been a fun, shitty area, but they're not directly to blame.

I do have some fond memories of running to Burke's for a case of beer after all the liquor stores were closed (gotta be closed at 10PM, state law), and seeing a line of cars parked outside that obviously had the same idea. They kept those late night hangouts going."

Lots of very late night case runs well after hours...always an interesting party going on in there. The scene outside the bar in mid 90's was a bit scary...can only imagine earlier years than that.

I do have some fond memories of running to Burke's for a case of beer after all the liquor stores were closed (gotta be closed at 10PM, state law), and seeing a line of cars parked outside that obviously had the same idea. They kept those late night hangouts going.

While I do enjoy pretty things and happy people, the new jerkoffs moving into Cast Iron Lofts of SoHo West will never appreciate what the Tunnel Diner and Burke's provided.Pretty, sanitary little lives.Let's go to the Target, honey. We need to get more kitty litter before we get back to sitting ignoring each other playing on our iphones.

Those buildings were vacant lots when the Tunnel Diner was actually open. What exactly are they supposed to be appreciating about an empty storefront???

While I do enjoy pretty things and happy people, the new jerkoffs moving into Cast Iron Lofts of SoHo West will never appreciate what the Tunnel Diner and Burke's provided.Pretty, sanitary little lives.Let's go to the Target, honey. We need to get more kitty litter before we get back to sitting ignoring each other playing on our iphones.

tern wrote:Have they actually got no working bathroom, or is that sign in the window just to deter non-customers from asking?

Robin.

I'm not sure if the bathroom is actually working - I haven't gone inside myself. Either way, I see people loitering around the bar or coming out and urinating right on the street afterwards. I do call the cops multiple times when I encounter these incidences.

How about forming and mobilizing a Neighborhood Association to improve the area? Seems to me there is a lot of local small businesses and orgs that would likely support it: Cake Boss, Unleashed, Sally Army, BuyRite, St Lucy's, local gas stations, Dunkin Donuts, not to mention the bigger chains like Home Depot, Best Buy, A&P, etc. Even Burke's themselves could be part of the solution.

Perplexed about this. How "near" do you live to Burke's? There are only a few brownstone's, the Hudson Garden housing project, a church with a homeless shelter, etc.. Because if you moved there and did not notice the immediate surroundings, do you have a dog and own a cane?

Regardless, you can contact your ward council person, local authorities etc...

On a personal note, Burke's has been there when we needed the party to continue with some late night packages of beer or wine (yellow tail, what can one expect). It is what it is? If there is peeing going on outside, definitely report it. Good luck on the double parking mate.

JamesBeard wrote:Did you do any research on your neighborhood before you moved in?

Do you realize you are surrounded by homeless shelters and projects?

Burke's is an iconic Jersey City institution. It's not their fault that their clientele is a mixed bag.

These are unusual questions. It's not clear what the connection is between the OP's pre-purchase research and the acceptability of illegal alcohol sales and public urination.

'Institutions' are labeled as such because of the cultural and social contribution they return to a community. Burke's bar just sells beer and liquor after hours. Sorry, it doesn't qualify as an institution.

A complaint to the ABC for underage sales would prompt action from the state. Sales of spirits are not permitted after 10pm, however beer and wine are permitted to be sold during permitted business hours, so that means one can purchase "package goods" until 2am, and 3am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

I live near Burke's Bar and I see locals who go to the bar frequently urinating on the streets. Is it legal for a bar to not have an operating restroom? There is a sign posted on their window for the past few years saying "Bathroom is out of order'.

The bar also causes noise disturbances and visitors double park illegally on the street to purchase liquor past 10pm. I am pretty sure the bar serves to minors illegally as well from the yelp reviews. Has anyone experienced issues with this bar? What should I do to shut this bar down? Thanks.